Australian and New Zealand Armed Corps were formed at Gallipoli ninety years ago in preparation for the landing at Gallipoli in Turkey. On Monday we marked the disastrous landing with ceremonies all over Australia and New Zealand, and in Gallipoli itself.
What struck me again this year was the difference between Australian and New Zealand spin.
The New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, attended the dawn service, the Australian service and the New Zealand service. John Howard, the Australian PM, didn’t go to the NZ service and went to an Ozzie barbecue instead. Claims he didn’t know they were on at different times.
Helen in her speech constantly referred to Australia and New Zealand together. John only talked about Australia. The feature article in The Australian on the weekend talked about Gallipoli as if the Australians were the only ones involved.
I’ve posted a NZ television ad for DB on The Inspiration Room. It features a WWI veteran in DB Heaven, deciding on the merits or lack of merits of beer drinkers. All in good fun.